Latest news with #Ivors
Economic Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Bono urges Israel to move on from Netanyahu and far-right leaders
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Irish singer and U2 frontman Bono publicly called for Israel to move beyond Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and far-right elements during his remarks at the 2024 Ivors music awards ceremony. Bono's speech marked his first comments on the Israel-Gaza conflict since the war escalated in October the audience before a performance of the band's 1983 song "Sunday Bloody Sunday," Bono described the pursuit of peace as a radical but necessary act. 'Believing in the possibility of peace was then and is now a rebellious act,' Bono said, referring to the song's themes. He continued, 'Peace creates possibilities in the most intractable situations. Lord knows there's a few of them out there right now.'Also read: Trump-Netanyahu 'fight': All is not well btw old friends? US Prez had 'fall out' with BiBi over Iran Bono's remarks were made as U2 became the first Irish songwriters to receive an academy fellowship at the Ivors, an honor presented by singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. The annual ceremony, held this year on May 22, recognized Bono and fellow U2 members for their contributions to music and social his speech, Bono called for multiple sides in the ongoing conflict to take action. 'Hamas, release the hostages. Stop the war,' he stated. Turning to Israeli leadership, Bono added, 'Israel, be released from Benjamin Netanyahu and far-right fundamentalists that twist your sacred texts.'Bono also emphasized the importance of protecting humanitarian workers, describing them as essential contributors in crisis zones. 'All of you protect our aid workers, they are the best of us,' he speech came as global leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, expressed concern over Israel's renewed military action in Gaza. Earlier this week, the trio released a joint statement reaffirming support for a two-state solution and recognition of a Palestinian state as part of long-term peace read: 'If not today, then tomorrow': Netanyahu warns Hamas, promises to bring back every hostage Bono introduced U2's performance of 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' by linking the historic context of the song to the present conflict. The track originally referenced the 1972 shootings in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, when British soldiers opened fire on unarmed civil rights protesters, resulting in 14 performing the politically charged song, U2 underscored its long-standing engagement with global peace movements. Bono, who received the Peace Summit Award at the 2008 Nobel Peace Laureates Summit, used the platform to reiterate his ongoing advocacy for diplomatic solutions to international recently criticized leaders including Starmer, Macron, and Carney, accusing them of emboldening Hamas by supporting the recognition of Palestinian statehood. Bono's comments add to a growing chorus of international voices urging de-escalation and structural change in both Israeli and Palestinian leadership.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Bono urges Israel to move on from Netanyahu and far-right leaders
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Irish singer and U2 frontman Bono publicly called for Israel to move beyond Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and far-right elements during his remarks at the 2024 Ivors music awards ceremony. Bono's speech marked his first comments on the Israel-Gaza conflict since the war escalated in October the audience before a performance of the band's 1983 song "Sunday Bloody Sunday," Bono described the pursuit of peace as a radical but necessary act. 'Believing in the possibility of peace was then and is now a rebellious act,' Bono said, referring to the song's themes. He continued, 'Peace creates possibilities in the most intractable situations. Lord knows there's a few of them out there right now.'Also read: Trump-Netanyahu 'fight': All is not well btw old friends? US Prez had 'fall out' with BiBi over Iran Bono's remarks were made as U2 became the first Irish songwriters to receive an academy fellowship at the Ivors, an honor presented by singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. The annual ceremony, held this year on May 22, recognized Bono and fellow U2 members for their contributions to music and social his speech, Bono called for multiple sides in the ongoing conflict to take action. 'Hamas, release the hostages. Stop the war,' he stated. Turning to Israeli leadership, Bono added, 'Israel, be released from Benjamin Netanyahu and far-right fundamentalists that twist your sacred texts.'Bono also emphasized the importance of protecting humanitarian workers, describing them as essential contributors in crisis zones. 'All of you protect our aid workers, they are the best of us,' he speech came as global leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, expressed concern over Israel's renewed military action in Gaza. Earlier this week, the trio released a joint statement reaffirming support for a two-state solution and recognition of a Palestinian state as part of long-term peace read: 'If not today, then tomorrow': Netanyahu warns Hamas, promises to bring back every hostage Bono introduced U2's performance of 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' by linking the historic context of the song to the present conflict. The track originally referenced the 1972 shootings in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, when British soldiers opened fire on unarmed civil rights protesters, resulting in 14 performing the politically charged song, U2 underscored its long-standing engagement with global peace movements. Bono, who received the Peace Summit Award at the 2008 Nobel Peace Laureates Summit, used the platform to reiterate his ongoing advocacy for diplomatic solutions to international recently criticized leaders including Starmer, Macron, and Carney, accusing them of emboldening Hamas by supporting the recognition of Palestinian statehood. Bono's comments add to a growing chorus of international voices urging de-escalation and structural change in both Israeli and Palestinian leadership.
Daily Mirror
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Self Esteem details 'wild' night with Madonna during London gig
Self Esteem has revealed a 'wild' night she had with Madonna after the Queen Of Pop came along to one of her London gigs last month and labelled her 'incredible'. Self Esteem star Rebecca Lucy Taylor has recalled the 'wild' time earlier this year that saw Madonna arrive at her London gig last month. Talking to Mirror during Radio 1's Big Weekend, Rebecca shared how she has some holidays coming up, which she will use as an opportunity to reflect on some career highlights, including the run in with the Queen of Pop. 'Maybe in Portugal I'll be like: 'Oh my god, Madonna came to the gig. Remember that?'' she mused about the icon turning up to one of her shows last month. It was wild. She had to run off, but we've messaged and stuff. it's private between her and I. Me and my mother Madonna," laughed the singer. Madonna turned up at London venue The Duke Of York last month where Rebecca was performing as part of her Complicated Woman Live show. Clearly impressed by the show, Madonna dubbed the artist 'incredible' in an Instagram post after the show. Not only has Rebecca had some A-list audience members over the last few months, but she's also had a string of award wins recently. She kicked off this week bagging herself an Ivor Novello award, then performed with Scissor Sisters in Manchester before taking to the stage in Liverpool for Big Weekend on Sunday evening. All the excitement has taken its toll on her, she tells Mirror, 'I've come all the way to Liverpool with no house keys, so that's good,' she laughed. 'I just need to stop it for a bit. It's been brilliant. Things just aren't setting in because I'm just so busy. It's wonderful and I'm grateful.' She reveals how she's choosing to unwind in an unlikely spot. 'I'm going to LEGOLAND on Tuesday… and then I'm going to Portugal for 10 days.' Still on a high from the Ivors, Rebecca, 38, says bagging the Visionary Award was a special moment. 'I didn't really realise how much I needed it… to be recognised for the craft,' she reflected. 'My mum and dad came, which was really great, because they had to see me lose the Mercury Prize twice.' 'That's me done now,' she laughed. Saturday evening was a treat on the eyes and ears as Self Esteem reeled off hits including I Do This All The Time. And Rebecca explains she put her money where her mouth is to put it on. 'I'm trying to put on a theatre show at festivals,' she tells. 'The surprise is like how much money I'm spending on being here! 'It's hard to scale it up and do a theatrical thing. 'It's worth it though - it's legacy, you know? 'I want it to go down in history, so that's not cheap!'
Observer
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Observer
U2, Charli XCX and Robbie Williams honoured at Ivor songwriting awards
Singers Charli XCX, Robbie Williams, Myles Smith and rapper Berwyn triumphed on Thursday at the Ivors, Britain's annual awards for songwriters and screen composers, with Irish rockers U2 adding to their honours with a fellowship. U2 members Bono, Adam Clayton, The Edge and Larry Mullen Jr. follow Paul McCartney, Sting, Kate Bush and Bruce Springsteen in receiving an Ivors Academy Fellowship, the highest honour bestowed by the UK-based association. They are the first Irish songwriters to do so. "When we gathered in Larry Mullen's kitchen in 1976, this was unimaginable - we never thought that the band could be this old," Clayton said on stage. "We had the most basic of talents but we believed that songs could take us anywhere because we'd already been to so many places, we just had to tell our story." At the ceremony in London, Charli XCX was named songwriter of the year in recognition of her hit album "Brat," which inspired a cultural phenomenon. But "Brat" lost out in the album of the year category to rapper Berwyn's "Who Am I," with the judges hailing that record's "vivid storytelling that transcends generations, race and social differences, offering a voice to those often unseen by society." Best contemporary song went to Sans Soucis' "Circumnavigating Georgia" while Orla Gartland's "Mine" won best song musically and lyrically. Smith's viral hit 'Stargazing" won the most performed category. "Angels" and 'Let Me Entertain You' singer Williams won the music icon award "in recognition of a songwriting career that has touched millions and defined a generation." "I'm just compelled to keep searching for the perfect pop tune and also compelled to express myself and try and get whatever's inside out for whatever reason that is," Williams told Reuters when asked how his songwriting had evolved over his career. The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers took the special international award, with judges describing him as "one of the most influential songwriters of his generation" for lyrics he penned for the band as well as for his solo work. "Messy" singer Lola Young, who had led nominations with three nods, took the rising star prize. Named after the early 20th century Welsh composer, actor and entertainer Ivor Novello, the Ivor Awards were first handed out in 1956. —Reuters
Wales Online
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
U2's Bono calls to ‘stop war' as band perform Sunday Bloody Sunday at The Ivors
U2's Bono calls to 'stop war' as band perform Sunday Bloody Sunday at The Ivors The performance came as the group became the first Irish songwriters to be awarded an academy fellowship at the 70th year of the awards ceremony (Image: PA ) U2 singer Bono issued a call to "stop war" ahead of performing Sunday Bloody Sunday at the Ivors award ceremony. The performance came as the group became the first Irish songwriters to be awarded an academy fellowship at the 70th year of the awards ceremony, hosted at London's Grosvenor House on Thursday. Accepting the award from pop star Ed Sheeran, the group members each received an award with Bono – whose real name is Paul David Hewson – making a call for peace. While the singer made his acceptance speech, The Edge, real name Daniel Evans, began to strum the chords of their war song Sunday Bloody Sunday. The song references the 1972 Bloody Sunday shootings in Londonderry, where members of the British army's Parachute Regiment opened fire at civil rights demonstrators. He said: "I used to introduce this next song by explaining that it wasn't a rebel song. Article continues below "It was because believing in the possibilities of peace was, then and is now a rebellious act, and some would say a ridiculous one, to believe peace was attainable between your country and ours, between our country and itself was a ridiculous idea that we're pleased we hold on to very tightly right now. "Peace creates possibilities in the most intractable situations. Lord knows, there's a few of them out there right now. "Hamas release the hostages. Stop war. Israel be released from Benjamin Netanyahu. "All of you protect our aid workers, they are the best of us." The group ended the evening with a performance of their 1988 song Angel Of Harlem. Hosted by The Ivors Academy, the award ceremony aims to recognise and celebrate "exceptional achievements in songwriting and screen composing". Pop star Robbie Williams took home the Icon Award at the songwriting award ceremony, describing it as a "beautiful thing to be given". He told PA news agency: "It feels all sorts of different things. It feels uneasy to receive, to be bestowed a 'we love you' or 'we like you'. I don't think that artists, singers, actors, I don't think it sits very well with them, unless you're a complete egomaniac and a narcissist, in which case you already think that and know that. "It's a beautiful thing to be given." The singer is due to release a new album, Britpop, in the autumn and is due to start his UK, Ireland and European tour on May 31 in Edinburgh. Speaking about the new album, he said: "They (fans) can expect high octane guitars, at least for a few releases, until I jump back into pop, because we all get scared. "The new music video features me being punkish. I hope people like it." Brat star Charli XCX was named songwriter of the year and gave an impassioned speech while accepting her award. She said: "I feel like we live in a world right now where there are so many great songwriters who are undeniably technically brilliant, but will unfortunately never get a big enough platform for people to actually hear or possibly record their work. "In my head, a great song alone has never actually been enough to captivate an audience, but instead, a song with a distinct identity coupled with a point of view, a potent culture surrounding it, and above all, conviction is what can catapult a songwriter from being technically good to globally renowned. "As a songwriter, but above all, as an artist, conviction is everything. You literally die without it. It separates the frauds from the greats, the good singers, from the trendsetters. It's an undeniable sense of style and personality and of course, it's embracing the idea of daring to suck. "In my opinion, from writing songs with no fear and no agenda other than making something totally reflective of who you are, come the best songs. Songs that can soundtrack a night out, a summer, possibly even define a moment in time. The singer ended her speech calling out the songwriters in the room and encouraging them to "make what you want to hear". Article continues below She said: "Make something with a niche and not something broad. Don't try and be clever. Be dumb, have fun and play songs for your friends and above all don't be afraid of yourself or of your own internal language, because it's the thing that makes you distinctly you."
